Carmen:

I crossed my arms as I stepped out of the elevator, almost running into the girl waiting on the other side. She barely gave me a glance as she rolled her suitcase and stepped inside, but my stomach did an odd twist just by looking at her.

Of course it wasn't Abby, it couldn't be. Unless she had some sort of super speed. I glanced at the desk as I walked through the lobby, giving a short smile at the receptionist.

I could breathe a little easier once I stepped outside of the hotel. My nerves were getting the best of me. Why did I feel so weird?

Maybe it was that "other woman" mentality. But I wasn't. Not for long. I bit the inside of my cheek as I slid into my car, pushing my hair back. My limbs felt spent, like I'd just gone for a five mile jog or something. But my mind was so deliciously at ease and just thinking of Van made my mouth stretch into a smile.

By some stroke of luck, maybe even fate, we'd found each other again. And this time there wasn't any fear or hesitation on my part, and he, well he'd always seem to have open arms for me.

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Van:

I looked out the window, arms crossed. My chest felt light, and just thinking of how Carmen had been here a bit ago felt surreal. Because it seemed like things were finally going to be right again.

There was just one last thing to do before I could fully enjoy the moment.

There was a knock at the door. I stiffened, but tried to relax as I walked to the door and threw it open.

"Christ, thanks. This bugger lost our key!" Larry led the group of guys inside, running his hand through his hair and shaking his head.

"Oh, uh, yeah no problem." I shut the door, leaning against it. The guys splayed all over the couch, Bondy rubbing his stomach.

"You missed it. Bondy ate two steaks and a rack of ribs." Larry laughed.

"Don't...shhhh..." Bondy shut his eyes, bringing a fist to his mouth.

"Not surprising." I tried to laugh, glancing at the door.

Bob turned on the television, flipping through the channels. "What'd you do mate?"

"What do you mean?"

"We missed you at dinner. Did you go have a drink or somethin?" Benji asked.

"Nope, just went for some cigs. Ran into"- A loud knock interrupted my sentence.

"Is that Martin? Wouldn't be surprised if he came to make sure we're still here and not out making 'bad press'." Bondy managed to laugh.

I walked to the door, opening it.

"Surprise!" A pair of arms locked around my neck and pulled me down to meet lips. My mouth had barely cooled from Carmen's. I broke away, stepping back. Abby looked at me, hoisting her duffel bag up. "I've missed you." She said shyly.

I ran a hand through my hair, trying to smile. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"

"Surprise innit?" She brushed past me, stepping inside. "Hey lads."

"Christ, what are you doing here?" Bondy said from the couch.

"Reckon Van needed a little company for the time." Abby glanced at me, her lips turning up. "Besides, I haven't been in the states since I was fourteen."

"Hey Abby. You're deffo sleeping on the couch though, sorry." Bob laughed good naturedly. They had always been so nice to Abby, but now I wanted to yell out that they'd need to stop. She was going to hate me and them, by association.

She stuck her tongue out. "Chill dude. Obvi I'm going to share Van's bed right babe? Did I get the Cali girl lingo right?" She wrinkled her nose as she laughed. I glanced at the window, scratching the back of my neck.

"Fancy going out for a drink right now?" I mumbled.

"You read my mind. Show me where to put this." She held up her bag.

"Just uh, leave it on the ground."

"Someone's desperate for some alone time!" Larry said, eyes meeting mine. I swear to Christ my eye twitched as I held the door open for her, grabbing my key from the counter before following her out.

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"Lovely place." She said sarcastically, leaning forward on her stool as she examined the bottles at the bar.

"It's nice." I said defensively.

"Can't beat back home though." She sat back, scratching her brow.

I opened and shut my mouth, looking at my hands. Suppose I blurted out the truth right now, what would she do? Would she swear me out in the middle of this bar?

"A scotch please."

I licked my dry lips before ordering some drink, putting my elbows on the counter and staring out the window. A girl ran across the street, her back to me. Her dark hair reminded me of Carmen.

Taking that as some shove to just get everything over with, I took a deep breath, looking at Abby. "We need to talk."

"Why so serious?" She smiled, but it faltered when she saw I didn't return it. "Didn't like my surprise?"

"You shouldn't have come." I said. Cringing at the harshness in my words, I tried to backpedal. "It must not have been convenient for you with work and all that."

"I'd already asked for the days off." She reassured me, taking another drink.

"And just up and leaving like that. You don't even like it here much do you?"

"It was to see you. Besides, I haven't been here in a bit, maybe it's changed." She shrugged, studying her glass. Her eyes suddenly locked on mine and she scooted towards me, touching the side of my face. I broke eye contact, grinding my teeth.

"Van." She said simply.

"This isn't going to work Abby. It hasn't been."

"What are you talking about?" She frowned, her hand not leaving me face. I moved back, and then she finally reacted,kneading her hands together. "If you're that mad about me coming I'm sorry, but I thought it would be a wicked surprise. We'll have fun, don't worry." Her voice had gotten small.

"Abby you knew when this started, I wasn't fully there. I haven't been fully there even now. And being here"-

"Being here reminds you of her right? Van, it's over let it go. Listen, I more than anyone knows what it is to lose mind over an ex, but that's just it. She's your ex." She looked around the bar. "And she's a wanker for letting you go."

"Abby!"

"Don't get your knickers in a twist over her Van." She laughed humorlessly but stopped when I stood up.

"I'm tired of you telling me"-

"Fine then I won't." She said hurriedly. "I just don't get why you're so hung up on this girl." She wrapped a hand around mine. I eased out of her grip but sat down on the stool. "She didn't even give you the time of day when she said she loved you."

"Abby"-

In seconds her expression had changed. "Van, you make me so so happy. I know sometimes I come off as loud and rude, but I truly do...love you." She paused, looking at her drink. "If it bothers you so much being here, then let's leave! We could take a flight back home and you can stay at my house. We can split a bottle, like we always do."Her hand moved to take mine, fingers digging into my skin.

I moved my hand away, looking outside the window.

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Carmen:

I opened the front door, stepping into the remnants of the party. A couple of Jesse's friends were helping pick up trash, and I grabbed a bag and started chucking in plates with half eaten food left in the living room.

Jesse was talking with the last few family members surrounding her in the kitchen. I could hear their laughs as the guy I recognized to be her boyfriend came in and closed the front door. "Need help?" He motioned to the trash bag in my hand.

"I'm good thanks." I finished putting the trash in the bag and offered to take another trash bag from one of her friends. I walked downstairs and outside to the dumpster, feeling the cool air hit my skin as I hoisted the bags onto the dumpster.

"Carmen."

"Jesus." I jumped at the voice behind me. I wrapped my arms around myself, looking at Zach. "What are you doing here?"

"You didn't come to Nicole's party. She didn't want to tell me where you were. I was wondering if you were ok." He had his hands in his pockets.

I frowned. "Yeah I'm fine. I didn't think you'd care so much."

"Of course I- Of course I care about you. Even if you hate me." He stepped closer.

"Zach I- I don't hate you. I just don't think we can be friends right now. And you know it too." I took a couple of steps around him to head back inside.

"Hey." His fingers wrapped around my arm and I yanked back, taking a step back.

"Zach don't."

"You don't have the right to just use me like that." He took a step forward and stumbled. He was drunk.

"Zach, you really should not drive. I'll call you a taxi." He moved forward and stopped, rubbing his eyes. I didn't move. "I'll call a taxi upstairs. I'll be back."

"I don't want a taxi. I just want..you." He moved forward and tripped, bumping me. His hands wrapped around my wrists, his lips pressing against my neck.

I tried to shove him back, but even drunk he was stronger than me. "Zach, don't." He moved against me, his grip not loosening. "What's he got that I don't? You always told me that you were over him, but I'm not an idiot." I shoved him back and managed to get out of his grip, he tried to get me again, his nails digging into my arm. I shoved him back again, striding towards the door. He leaned against the dumpster, crossing his arms and leaning his head back.

I went upstairs and called him a cab, explaining to the person that Zach was drunk and wasn't thinking straight. I went back downstairs and saw he was gone a few minutes later, prompting me to call the cab off. I stepped back into the apartment and tried to pay attention to whatever Jesse was telling me, feeling panic bubble in my throat when I remembered the feel of Zach's nails digging into my arm. There were three red angry lines I failed to notice until Jesse pointed them out to me, causing me to break down and tell her what happened.

"What the hell? And this happened like twenty minutes ago? Why didn't you tell me? I would've gotten Mark to go downstairs and kick his ass." Jesse delicately touched my arm, her eyes worried.

"I just wanted to come back inside."

"Did he...did he try something?" Jesse said quietly.

"He was drunk."

"Drunk can only excuse someone's asshole behavior so much." Jesse responded. "He needs to leave it alone. If I were you I'd report him."

I didn't know what to say. "Today was quite eventful."

"I know." She took a drink from her cup, her eyes suddenly lighting up. "And you showing up with Van! First of all, how? Second, what happened?"I instantly felt light, retelling everything that happened. She listened intently. "So you're back together?"

"I don't know how we were gonna keep avoiding each other. It's like fate keeps bringing us together." I looked at the window, thinking of Van.

"Yeah especially if you guys can't keep your hands off each other." Jesse snickered. I shoved her back.

"Honestly shut up." I laughed.

She leaned back against the couch. "This truly was a great day, minus some bumps on the road. I'm officially out of the hellhole that is college. And you got laid."

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Van:

I waited for her to finish her drink. The words were on the tip of my tongue, but she talked in between, pointing at places and asking me questions. She didn't try to grab my hand or anything, and didn't bother to bring up Carmen again.

We got to the hotel, going upstairs. I felt suffocated in the elevator. I needed some advice. I needed Larry's advice.

"Thought you'd be back later." Bondy yelled as we stepped inside.

"Uh, take your bag into the first room on the right." I told Abby. She grabbed her duffel and disappeared while I rubbed my face.

"I need a drink to wash down this food." Bondy stretched. "Who wants to come?"

Bob and Benji stood up, but I caught Larry's eye and shook my head. "Think I'm good fellas." He stayed on the couch.

"Me too." I said, letting the guys through.

Abby opened the door and poked her head out, "I'm gonna take a shower."

"Right." I waited until she disappeared back inside the room. I slumped down next to Larry.

"You're disappointment is clear as day mate." He said. "What's wrong?"

"If you had the chance to get back one of the best things that ever happened, you'd take it up right?"

"Well yeah." He responded, turning down the television.

"I ran into Carmen."

"Really?" He smiled. "How'd that go?"

"You know....how we are. I dunno, seeing her always does the same thing to me. And it was so solid. We were sitting in her car and I just, I knew that this was it ya know? Like fate."

"Like fate." He laughed, shoving me. "Ok so fate brought you together. The two lovebirds who were always meant to be. Now what are ya gonna do with Abby?"

"I just, I feel bad. But I can't keep leading her on like that. And she's very...suffocating."

"Poor Van, being suffocated by love. I'm kidding. I know, I remember what you told me about her when you came down to Leeds. I figured you'd know better than to get involved with her."

"I wasn't looking to get that involved. But things happen. Besides, I'd made it clear to her that this wasn't serious."

"But now she forgot right?" Larry crossed his legs.

"I dunno what to do. I mean, how to do it. Should I just end it now?"

"She flew out to see you and you dump her in another country? Christ no offense, but that's a tad terrible."

"But Carmen's here."

Larry thought it over. "Ok so here's the thing. Just keep your distance from Abby here. She'll get the message. When we land back over there and you end it, she won't be that surprised. This trip might even give her time to accept it."

"You think?"

"Yeah." He nodded.

"What if I want to see Carmen and she wants to come with me?"

"We'll figure it out." Larry said.

The sound of the shower water lessened and Larry turned the volume of the television up. "So can you figure something out now?"

"Now?" He asked in disbelief. "Christ, fine. But you owe me."

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Carmen:

Jesse went to bed, but I stayed up, washing dishes. My mind was too hyped for some reason. My phone vibrated from the counter.

Van: Alright if I stop by for a goodnight kiss?

My heart thudded in my chest.

Quite alright

I checked the eyehole until I saw him stroll up towards the door, opening it before he could knock. "My roommate's asleep." I explained, shutting it after him quietly.

"What happened to your arm?" He asked, grabbing my arm suddenly and holding it up to his face.

"Didn't even notice where that happened." I lied. He dropped my arm, putting his hands around my back. I was dying to ask him about how it'd gone with Abby, but I held back.

"So where's my goodnight kiss?" He asked in a low voice. I grinned, enveloped in his warmth while his mouth met mine. "Larry says hi." He finally spoke up, laughing.

"Thanks." I replied, lips buzzing. "Is that all you came to tell me?"

"Kicking me out?" He asked, mock frowning.

"Course not. But it's late. Unless you want to sleep over?" My nerves buzzed.

"I wish, but I've got to be up early with the guys for soundcheck. It's funny cause the show is late yet we have to have an early soundcheck. And the jetlag is killing me." He kissed me again. "Another one for the jetlag."

"You're so dramatic." I kissed him in short pecks, until his hands wrapped around me and drew me in for a longer one.

"You're killing me. Ok I have to go."

"So soon?" I asked.

"The taxi is waiting for me downstairs. But I'll see you tomorrow alright? I love you." He finished without skipping a beat, giving me one last kiss before opening the door and letting himself out. He'd really come and gone so quickly. All for a goodnight kiss.

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Van:

I licked my lips, leaning against the door and taking a deep breath. I opened the door and stepped into the room.

"Larry said you went out for some fags." Abby was standing near the couch, arms crossed. She had a robe on and a towel around her hair.

"Yeah, uh, the store was closed. So I went to go check on the guys downstairs to see if I could get a drink."She scratched her neck, lowering her eyes. Finally she came close to me, wrapping her arms around my neck. I gently moved her away, faking a yawn. "Got an early day tomorrow, I should get some sleep."

"Can I come watch you play?"

"It's just a soundcheck, besides it won't take long. Where's Larry?"

"He's been in his room." She shrugged.

"Right, guess I'll get ready for bed then."

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The guys got back a little bit later, disappearing into their respective rooms. The suite had a master bedroom and three smaller bedrooms that were a standard room size.. We'd tossed a coin for the the master, and I'd gotten it.

Someone was going to have to sleep on the couch, and Bondy hadn't minded doing it.

But now I thought of the intimacy that entailed sleeping in the same bed with Abby. Luckily there were two couches, so I could camp out on one.

"What are you doing?" Bondy asked when I'd stepped outside of the room with a pair of sheets and a pillow.

"I'm going to sleep." I said plainly, fixing the sheet.

"But you got the master bed."

"Abby tosses around too much. I wanna get a good rest."

"Van?" She poked her head out of the bedroom, wiping her mouth. "The bathroom's ready."

I stepped into the room, walking towards the bathroom and half closing the door. While brushing my teeth, the door slid open and Abby walked in, taking the towel off her head and letting it drop on the floor. She stood next to me, brushing some stray hairs back. I rinsed my mouth, walking out the bathroom and towards the bedroom door.

"Aren't you gonna sleep with me?" She asked innocently.

"The bed's too small. It's fine." I didn't look back as I shut the door.

She opened the door. "Don't be an arse, we fit."

Bondy had shut the lights off already.

"It's fine." I said.

"Van"-

"Abby just go to sleep." I whispered.

The door finally shut and I sighed as I got into my makeshift bed. I shut my eyes and counted Bondy's snores until I blacked out.

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Carmen:

I fell into a deep sleep, surprisingly not waking up at all during the middle of the night.

Winter break stretched out before me, an entire month of not having to dwell over class and graduation. But plenty of time to dwell over a job.

I'd looked online before, filling out a few applications here and there. But I never followed up on them so that was a waste of time.